Six GSC Hidden Promise Scholars Graduate

Glenville, WV – Six more Glenville State College students have completed the Hidden Promise Scholars Program. They were recognized at the annual December 2012 Hidden Promise Scholar Graduation Dinner and Installation Ceremony held on December 3rd. These students were also recognized at the GSC Senior Recognition Program on Thursday, December 13th and can participate in the 139th GSC Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 11, 2013.

“The Hidden Promise scholarship has taken me places that I never thought I would be able to go. Being the first in my family to graduate from college is a big accomplishment for me. I am very thankful for Dr. Barr and the scholarship. It really has made a difference in my life,” said GSC Hidden Promise Scholar Stephanie Stacy. She is earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Behavior Science with a concentration of Psychology and Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice. Stacy is a native of Millstone, West Virginia (Calhoun County).

“The Hidden Promise Scholars Program gives students many experiences they wouldn’t have in college elsewhere. It also helps financially, which is always a blessing,” said GSC Hidden Promise Scholar Chelsea Gragg. She is earning a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree. Gragg is very active at Camden Flats Baptist Church where she serves as a games leader with the AWANAS group and for Vacation Bible School. She is a native of Smithville, West Virginia (Ritchie County).

“I am glad to have been a part of the Hidden Promise Scholar Program. We got to experience so many different things because of this program. I have made lifelong friendships because of this program,” said GSC Hidden Promise Scholar Dana Thomas-Ferrell. She is earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education with specializations in Early Education (PreK-K) and Elementary (K-6). Thomas-Ferrell is a native of Chloe, West Virginia (Calhoun County).

“The Hidden Promise Program was a true blessing. Financial help is just one type of support the program provides to college students. Throughout my college career, the program provided many different opportunities for me such as going new places, meeting new people, and providing me with job opportunities. I am very glad to have been a part of this very generous and beneficial program,” said GSC Hidden Promise Scholar Dusty Mullins. He is earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education with specializations in Social Studies (5-12) and Health & Physical Education (Pre-K-adult). Mullins was a member of the GSC Pioneer Basketball Team his freshmen and sophomore year and participated in Cross Country his junior year. He is a native of Ravenswood, West Virginia (Jackson County).

“Being a member of the Hidden Promise Scholars Program was an opportunity I earned by staying on task, getting good grades, and staying out of trouble throughout my high school years. I encourage members still in the program to be active members; after all, you earned it,” said GSC Hidden Promise Scholar Tiffany Johnson.

She is earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with specializations in Computer & Information Systems and Architecture & Security. Johnson was a member of GSC Cheerleading her freshmen year. She completed her degree requirements in July and is now working at the FBI Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia (Harrison County). Johnson is from Walkersville, West Virginia (Lewis County).

“The Hidden Promise Scholars Program is great, it provides its members with good opportunities to see new places and meet new people,” said GSC Hidden Promise Scholar Rebecca Johnson. She is earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with specializations in Computer & Information Systems and Architecture & Security. Johnson was a member of GSC Cheerleading her freshmen year. She currently works full-time at the FBI Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia (Harrison County) as she only had to take one class this fall to finish her degree. Johnson is from of Walkersville, West Virginia (Lewis County).

“The heart of the Hidden Promise Scholars program is about dispelling the myth that college is an exclusive society just for those perpetuating a family tradition of earning college degrees. Our scholars program is all about student potential. The December 2012 Hidden Promise Scholar Graduation Dinner and Installation Ceremony recognizes six scholars who demonstrate a further step toward fulfilled potential; next week they will hold a Glenville State College degree. That degree will open doors to incredible opportunities to further fulfill their potential” said GSC President Dr. Peter Barr.

“I have been working with the Hidden Promise Program for a little over a year now and have enjoyed participating in three of the Hidden Promise Scholars Graduate Ceremonies. I feel this ceremony creates the perfect ending to a new beginning for each of our scholars. Being able to witness the emotion and pride that is expressed when they receive their class rings and plaques in front of all their classmates and family members is priceless. It reminds all of us of the importance of this program, how it makes a difference in the lives of our scholars and how it better prepares them for a successful future. I’m very happy to be a part of it all,” said GSC Hidden Promise Coordinator Jenny Boggs.

The Hidden Promise Scholars Program is an alliance among Glenville State College and thirty seven county school districts across West Virginia, Ohio, and Connecticut. The program is aimed at improving communication between higher education and K through 12. Other goals include increasing the number of high school and college graduates as well as aligning the K-12 and higher education curriculum.

GSC Hidden Promise Scholars are students in the eighth through twelfth grade from central West Virginia. Selected by county superintendents and principals, these students interact with Glenville State College students and faculty and explore the vistas that a college education opens. Hidden Promise Scholars will mentor with college students at their home schools and participate in an array of campus visits. Upon high school graduation, Hidden Promise Scholars who enroll at Glenville State College receive an annual scholarship. The annual grant is renewable throughout their enrollment at GSC as full-time students maintaining standard academic progress.

For more information about the GSC Hidden Promise Scholars program, contact Boggs at Virginia.Boggs@glenville.edu or (304) 462-6059.